Ever Since Udaipur

Chapter 9

ZEESHAN'S POV

The Monday morning breeze gently swayed the branches left and right, rustling them beneath the warm sun of Udaipur. The bright rays glistened across the city, illuminating the marble staircase.

With my footsteps softly echoing through the forecourt, I headed toward my Rolls-Royce, nestled in the shade of a palm tree.

As my hand touched the door handle, a familiar voice called out my name. Turning, I saw Kabir in an orange kurta, standing next to Mahi, who wore a slightly darker shade. Both of them smiled softly, each holding a basket as they leaned against the hotel's car.

"Aur bhai, kidhar jaaraha hai?" (And brother, where are you going? ) Kabir questioned, his brows raising with curiosity. He stepped forward, and Mahi trailed closely behind, gripping the basket with one hand while adjusting her dupatta with another.

"Just had some work at the other hotel," I replied, glancing at their car filled with relatives. Children were practically piled on top of each other in the back. "And you guys?"

"We are heading to the temple for a small prayer," Mahi explained, her basket of fresh marigolds adding a festive scent to the air.

Kabir forwarded. "Why don't you join us?"

I smiled at the invite, politely shaking my head to refuse. "I have work that I need to complete—"

"Come on, bro! It's your hotel; you can work anytime. Even mom and dad will like to have you there," Kabir urged, glancing back at his parents chatting with the others.

Mahi furrowed her brows in encouragement. "You should definitely come." I took a deep breath, preparing to explain my refusal, but Kabir interjected once more.

"Come on bhai! It'll be fun."

Slumping my shoulders in surrender, I tugged my lips upward and agreed. The two shared glances, clearly pleased with my decision.

"Great!" Kabir exclaimed, handing me the basket. "Can you please keep this in your car? Ours doesn't have space anymore...and the staff will be coming any minute with the other items–"

"–That's if you don't mind," Mahi added softly.

I nodded, "Of course."

Soon after, a bunch of people headed down the staircase, holding boxes of sweets and other goodies required for the prayer. They greeted us and began storing the baskets and boxes in the trunk and some in the backseat.

As they reentered the hotel, a moment later, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching. Curiosity piqued, I turned around to see a brunette rushing down the white steps.

Aisha, cautiously holding her floral skirt, inched closer, throwing me a glare I chose to ignore. She fixed her disheveled hair from the sprint. "Good, you haven't left yet."

Noticing her arrival with a puzzled expression, Mahi asked, "What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting scheduled."

"It got canceled, so I decided to attend the prayer as well." She responded, her gaze roaming over the packed van and other delights.

Slumping her shoulders in pity, Mahi moved closer to her sister, gently grasping the eager girl's hand.

"I am sorry, Aisha. I thought you wouldn't come since you were busy...so I let Shanaya take your place."